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Important SN update for SouthlandThe moment Fremantle star knew his time was up
Luke Mathews • July 4th, 2025 2:10 pm
Retired Fremantle star Michael Walters has detailed the moment he knew his time in the AFL had come to an end.
After a glittering career that spanned 239 games and included an All-Australian selection in 2019, the Western Australian announced his retirement on Thursday after persistent knee injuries.
The five-time leading goal kicker said that after seeing his surgeon earlier in the week, he knew that retirement was the only possible option.
“We all know that we are all just passing through in life and in sport, so it was one of those things that I knew it was coming to an end at some stage,” Walters told SEN WA Breakfast.
“Being a tough year that it has been for myself the thought of retiring was always going to be there.
“It sort of forced my hand when I saw the surgeon two nights ago and he sort of gave me the realisation that I can’t carry on, the knee is a little bit sore.
“I was playing with a bit of pain and training with a bit of pain for a long period and something that I couldn’t really deal with mentally but also physically.
“It was real quick but it was the decision that the surgeon forced my hand to do anyway, rip the band-aid off and I’m almost a little bit glad he did it.”
The classy forward said the thing he would miss most would be spending time with teammates every day.
However, he was relieved he no longer had to deal with the expectations of playing at the highest level.
“Those friends along the way you truly create a bond with,” Walters added.
“A lot of players come and go but those players you hold a special spot within your heart, I guess that is the main high for me.
“Those are the things that I am going to miss spending time with those teammates over east and in hotel rooms creating those bonds further.
“I am not going to miss those expectations to go out there and just perform each and every week.
“We are all human and we do make mistakes, and we do struggle at times - that is probably the main one.”
Walters retires with the second most goals (365) and seventh most games (239) for the Dockers.
